They’ve swept everywhere, so there would be no tracks..
Go ahead, curse me, shame me, spread the news:
My finish is the horizon and the finish line - the edge of the world, -
I need to be the first one there!
The bet was not okayed by some,
And hands were shaken hesitantly,
Here are the terms: to ride on the highway and only on it -
No turns allowed.
I am winding the miles on the meter,
Riding parallel to the telephone wires,
But these shadows continue to appear -
Now a black cat, now someone in black.
They put spokes in my wheels more than once, and I know it,
I can guess how and when they will cheat me,
I know where they will stop my run
And where they will run a cable through my way.
But I drown the meter pointers - at this speed
A grain has the power of a bullet, -
And I clench the wheel until my hands feel the cramps -
I need to arrive before they tighten in the bolts!
I am winding the miles on the meter,
Riding vertical to the telephone wires,
They’re screwing in the nuts, - got to jet!
Or they will raise the cable up to my neck.
And the asphalt is melting, and the protectors are seething,
There is a heaving in the pit of my stomach from the nearness of the end,
I tear the rope with my bare chest, -
I am alive - take off your black ribbons!
The one who forced me to take this bet
Plays dirty when it comes to the payoff.
I am drank with excitement, but nevertheless,
I brake on the steep turns.
I am winding the miles on the meter,
Damn the ropes, the wires, the cables!
Just try to reason with the losers -
When I appear on the horizon!
My finish - horizon is as far as before,
I didn’t tear the finish line, but I got rid of the cable, -
No rope crossed my jugular vertebrae,
But they are aiming for my wheels from the bushes.
I am not in this race for money, you know -
They’ve asked me - "Don’t lose this moment -
See if there is limit there, on the edge of the world,
And can one draw apart the horizons?"
I am winding the miles on the meter,
And wouldn’t let a bullet hit my roof,
But my brakes fail - coda!
I lose the horizon in my run!..